nevolent aid, generously
furnished him by the Presbyterian church and Sunday school at Purcell,
Okla., while he was pursuing his theological studies at Biddle
university. The persons, whose names are most associated with these
grateful memories, are those of the pastor, Rev. S. G. Fisher, and two
of the elders, Mr. Lotting and Will Blanchard. This generous aid, which
made possible an education for the gospel ministry, has led the
recipient ever since to feel, that he is under a special but very
delightful obligation, to render to the church a faithful and efficient
service, as long as he lives.

REV. WILLIAM J. STARKS

The Lord Jesus, who brought to the world the glad tidings of the gospel
often finds his messengers in strange or unexpected places; and leads
them, in remarkable ways to the accomplishment of his purposes. No one
can tell, what is going on in the mind of a young man, brought under the
influence of the divine Spirit; nor how deep the impressions, that may
have been made upon the heart of those, who naturally seem most unlikely
to become heralds of the gospel.

William J. Starks (born March 14, 1876), Garvin, is a native of
Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. After completing the grammar course in the
public school of that place, he prepared for college under special
teachers.

The Falling Spring Presbyterian church of that city, maintained a
mission, that was attended by white and black. Mr. J. M. McDowell, a
white lawyer, was the superintendent of this mission. His special
interest was awakened in young Starks, by the fact he committed the
entire list of 107 questions and answers in the shorter catechism, in
one week after a copy was placed in his hands. The superintendent
proposed, he undertake special studies under him as his teacher. In
1897, he entered the college at Lincoln university and graduated from it
in 1901, and from the Theological department in 1904.

After one year spent in mission work at Mercersburg, Pa., he became in
1905 the stated supply of the New Hope church at Frogville, and in 1908,
also of Sandy Branch. On November 1, 1912, he became the successor of
Rev. W. H. Carroll at Garvin.

During his residence of seven years at Frogville, he maintained a six
months term of school every year in the chapel, serving the first five
years as a mission teacher under our Freedmen's Board, and the last two
as a teacher of public school. In September, 1910, he was elected stated
clerk of the Pres